PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Foodies all over Philadelphia are making their lists and checking them twice after the James Beard Foundation announced the semifinalists for its 35th annual awards, recognizing American chefs, restaurateurs and food writers.
Nine chefs and five establishments from Philly are up for consideration. Greg Vernick, from Vernick Fish in Center City, is among the semifinalists for Outstanding Chef. Mawn’s Phila Lorn is up for Emerging Chef, while Kalaya is on the list for Outstanding Restaurant, an award it won in 2023. Little Fish, in Queen Village, is up for Outstanding Hospitality.
“I’ve been to Vernick Fish. Mawn, I’d like to go there,” said David, from Rittenhouse. Like many Philly residents, he prides himself on being relatively well-versed in the city’s restaurant scene. “Little Fish, I visited years ago and would like to go back. And Kalaya is fabulous. Great place.”
Terri Diamond of South Philly says her favorite semifinalist, hands down, is the Lovers Bar at Friday Saturday Sunday, which is up for Outstanding Bar. “[It’s] upscale, a special occasion, and make sure you reserve it a month or so in advance,” she said. “The atmosphere is fabulous.”
The other area semifinalists include Machine Shop, in South Philly, for Outstanding Bakery; Kensington’s Càphê Roasters for Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program; and Kampar Kongsi in Bella Vista, in the debuting Best New Bar category.
In addition to Vernick and Lorn, Provenance’s Abigail Dahan made the short list in the Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker category. And four other area chefs were recognized in the Best Mid-Atlantic Chef category: Juan Carlos Aparicio of El Chingon, Jesse Ito of Royal Sushi & Izakaya, Amanda Shulman from Her Place Supper Club and Yun Fuentes of Bolo.
“Bolo looks interesting,” said David.
“I have not gotten there yet, but if you want to go, you better reserve a month or two in advance,” Diamond said.
Judges will narrow all of the selections down to a list of finalists to be announced on April 2. Awards will be given out on June 16 in Chicago.